Have been practicing at home and the range and I see some of my military buddys slap the bottom of their mags when they reload where as I tend to just do the push/pull method. Is one way better than the other?

Because 30 rounders are curved, I do the push/pull rather than the tap(slap), rack with those. When I do a speed reload during a 3-gun match I tend to use 20 rounders (unless they limit me too much on round count for the stage) because they are straight and then I just slap them home like a pistol mag and go.

I use the push-pull method. When I grab a magazine out of a mag carrier, my hand is around the body of the mag. It would be more movement (and therefore more time) to slap the bottom, so I just give it a good push and then pull to make sure that it is seated. Then press the bolt release unless it is a combat reload.

The only time I slap the bottom of my rifle mag is if I have a malfunction, or if I pull down on it and it has failed to seat properly.

Either way is correct, and if someone criticizes you for using the push-pull as opposed to slapping the bottom (or vice versa), well, I would not take much more advice from them.

when they reload where as I tend to just do the push/pull method. Is one way better than the other?

The guy who is very probably "the" AR guru currently teaching is Pat Rogers. He is an advocate of the push-pull. IME, especially if you are using issued magazines, slapping is both wasted motion and if you have a weak magazine, it may be enough to dislodge some rounds giving you a lovely malfunction.

FWIW, I've seen the "failure to seat" problem enough that push/pull is my advice.

Now that I am a civilian and shooting an AR 15, my problem is breaking the habit of slapping the mag against my helmet to seat the rounds. Rather rude awaking when one realizes that you are no longer wearing a helmet.

If it's "Make ready!" time, I can load either way and use my eyes to confirm the mag catch is back in fully seated position (indicating catch is hot). I'll rack and do a "pull check" to make sure there's a round in the chamber and give the FA a couple of taps just to make sure. These are superfluous in most cases, but everything's off the clock at this point.

If it's in the middle of a timed stage/run, I'll generally keep my eyes towards the target and slap the bottom before I hit the bolt release. I try to remember to clean the mags every other time I clean the rifle, and have never had any trouble loading (and discharging) a full 30. With either 20 or 30 rd, I've gotten used to pulling and holding the mags like I do pistol mags, with my left index finger along the front edge and the mag bottom against the heel of my palm,....it makes pointing at the magwell more intuitive and ready to slap. Just my .02

Then again, I'm not at the round count that wears out springs and sundry parts every season, either.

I do not advise the slap method. Once my girlfriend loaded my AR in such a fashion and managed to push the magazine up past the mag catch. A good pull got it back to where it used to be but in a "need rifle to work right now" situation it would be bad news.

push pull. press bolt release. enjoy.

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"9mm has a very long history of being a pointy little bullet moving quickly" --Sevens

I do not advise the slap method. Once my girlfriend loaded my AR in such a fashion and managed to push the magazine up past the mag catch. A good pull got it back to where it used to be but in a "need rifle to work right now" situation it would be bad news.

Nanuk, no adjustments were needed. When loading a AR15 whith the bolt open no hitting of the mag is needed. When loading an AR15 with the bolt closed a harder push may be used but again, no hitting of the mag is needed.

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"9mm has a very long history of being a pointy little bullet moving quickly" --Sevens

With an open bolt, a magazine can be inserted and seated without any issues, normally.

With a closed bolt and a fully loaded 30-round magazine, seating the magazine can become difficult. This is why the magazines are usually downloaded 1-2 rounds to make the seating easier.

The push/pull technique is used to ensure the magazine is seated and locked in place. You do it every time you load a magazine, whether or not the bolt is open. You want a consistent method when reloading a rifle, not doing one method when the bolt is open and another when it is closed.

Never done the slapping part. I will assume it is done to ensure the magazine is seated.

Nanuk, no adjustments were needed. When loading a AR15 whith the bolt open no hitting of the mag is needed. When loading an AR15 with the bolt closed a harder push may be used but again, no hitting of the mag is needed.

You are correct in that, with the bolt open the mag should easily insert. With the bolt closed a slap on the mag may help seat it. By slap I do not mean try to send it into orbit, its more like a tap. I have been using AR's for 30 years in the Military, LE, and competition. I am an AR armorer.

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